Any segment built up in 3-dimensional space is enclosed between two points. The “Create column” tool allows drawing up a segment by indicating just one point. The information about the segment's top and bottom points is specified in the “Column properties” menu  defining their exact coordinates in the model.  

First of all, let’s find all the “Steel” and “Concrete” modeling tools on the TS main toolbar.

Tekla Structures v21.1

The steel modeling tools are framed in red, but the concrete modeling tools are framed in blue.

Tekla Structures v2021

The new TS interface has separate “Steel” and “Concrete” menus. Toggling between the tabpages discloses respective modeling tools.

Let’s draw up a steel column located at an arbitrary intersection

1. Make sure all operations are canceled or press the ESC key.
2. Make a left click at the “Steel Column” tool.
3. Allocate the steel column at the work plane at an arbitrary intersection point of the grid lines.
4. Press the ESC key to disable the "Steel Column" tool.

Tekla Structures v21.1

Tekla Structures v2021

1. Make a double ( single - for new TS versions) click at the column object.
2. Make a double ( single - for new TS versions) click on the column tool’s icon.

Note: all the new columns created are defined by the values of the parameters

Tekla Structures v21.1

Tekla Structures v2021

• 2.3 Steel columns in Tekla Structures
• 2.3.1 Creating columns in Tekla Structures
• 2.3.2 The “Column Properties” menu in Tekla Structures